SoCal Celebrates Entrepreneurship 2025

Saturday, April 19, 2025 • CSU Fullerton

Program

  • The Welcome & Keynote Panel sets the tone as the event's core, reflecting a collective dedication to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in Southern California. It serves as a nexus for diverse perspectives and industry expertise, showcasing the transformative impact of collaboration educational institutes in the region.

    INTRO:

    1. John Bradley Jackson, CSU Fullerton

    WELCOME:

    1. Dean Sri Sundaram, CSUF College of Business & Economics

  • The SCCE Exhibitor Showcase brings together a diverse array of forward-thinking companies and entrepreneurs. This dynamic platform offers attendees a firsthand experience of cutting-edge products, services, and technologies that are shaping the future of business. Explore the forefront of innovation, forge valuable connections, and witness the transformative potential of the entrepreneurial spirit at the SCCE Exhibitor Showcase.

  • The Ignite Panel sparks innovation through shared insights. Attendees are inspired to embrace entrepreneurial challenges and opportunities, and equipped with strategies to navigate development and startup complexities. This dynamic dialogue between seasoned entrepreneurs and emerging innovators fosters mentorship and networking, marking the start of an entrepreneurial journey.

    MODERATORS:

    1. Victor Macias, Santana Snacks

    2. Barry Sandrew, Westcliff University

    SPEAKERS:

    1. Delilah Panio | VP, US Capital Formation, Toronto Stock Exchange

    2. Lizbeth DaBroy | Business Access Advisor, U.S. Bank

    3. Ritu Arora Thakur | Founder & CEO, Smart Tech Inc.

    4. Sonny Nguyen | Founder, Sonny & Company CPA

  • The Launch Panel showcases regional dedication to innovation and resilience. Here, entrepreneurs exchange survival strategies, engaging in dynamic discussions led by industry experts and seasoned entrepreneurs. Through actionable insights, attendees gain a roadmap for overcoming the hurdles of entrepreneurship while discovering hidden avenues for success.

    MODERATORS:

    1. Cynthia West, Chapman University

    SPEAKERS:

    1. Hamed Khandan | Founder & CEO, Universal Informatics LLC

    2. Jen Chiou | Founder, Code Speak Labs / Quest Craft

    3. Karen Caswelch | Founder & CEO, bridgED manufacturing

    4. La Keisha Landrum Pierre | General Partner & Co-Founder, Emmeline Ventures

  • The Growth & Exit Panel delves into the growth, harvest, and exit stages of the entrepreneurial journey. It highlights the intricacies of successful business expansion and transition strategies. Through engaging discussions, it equips entrepreneurs with tools to navigate growth complexities, reinforcing Southern California's status as an innovation hub.

    MODERATORS:

    1. Wade Martin, CSU Long Beach

    2. Travis Lindsay, Titan Angels

    SPEAKERS:

    1. Curtis Chan | Founder & Managing Partner, COGNITIVE IMPACT

    2. Thomas Markel | Founder, Seniority Corporation

    3. Scott Sorrell | CEO, Charge Higher Prices

    4. Mike Stone | Chief Investment Officer, Sunstone Management

  • The SCCE Lightning Pitch Competition spotlights the thrilling intersection of innovation, pitching, and opportunity. This session highlights the essence of rapid communication, strategic thinking, and capturing attention in a limited timeframe. Through engaging presentations and valuable feedback, the Lightning Pitch empowers entrepreneurs to refine their pitches and enhance their storytelling skills.

    MODERATORS:

    1. Stefani Rios, UC Irvine

    2. David Ochi, CSU Dominguez Hills

    JUDGES:

    1. Alan Zall | Attorney and Real Estate Broker

    2. Anshuman Sinha | Co-Founder & COO, Startup Steroid

    3. Christina Gallegos | Founder & Managing, Partner, Gradient Coast LLC

    4. Curtis Chan | Founder & Managing Partner, COGNITIVE IMPACT

    5. Justin Sanders | Intellectual Property Attorney, Master Key IP

    6. Kevin Meredith | Innovation Obsessor, 4th Sector Innovations

    7. Nitin Bajaj | Founder & CEO, American South Asian Network (ASAN)

    8. Rudy Chavarria Jr | Founder & CEO, College Ed Tech

SCCE-25 Speakers

  • Alan Zall

    Alan Zall

    Attorney and Real Estate Broker

    George W. Wright Lightning Pitch Judge

  • Anshuman Sinha

    Co-Founder & COO
    Startup Steroid

    George W. Wright Lightning Pitch Judge

  • Christina Gallegos

    Founder & Managing Partner
    Gradient Coast LLC

    George W. Wright Lightning Pitch Judge

  • Curtis Chan

    Founder & Managing Partner
    COGNITIVE IMPACT

    Growth to Exit Panel

  • Delilah Panio

    VP, US Capital Formation
    Toronto Stock Exchange

    Ignite Panel

  • Hamed K Khandan

    Founder & CEO
    Universal Informatics LLC

    Launch Panel

  • Jen Chiou

    Founder
    CodeSpeak Labs / Quest Craft

    Launch Panel

  • Justin Sanders

    Intellectual Property Attorney
    Master Key IP

    George W. Wright Lightning Pitch Judge

  • Karen Caswelch

    Founder & CEO
    bridgED manufacturing

    Launch Panel

  • Kevin Meredith

    Innovation Obsessor
    4th Sector Innovations

    George W. Wright Lightning Pitch Judge

  • La Keisha Landrum Pierre

    General Partner & Co-Founder
    Emmeline Ventures

    Launch Panel

  • Lizbeth DaBroy

    Business Access Advisor
    U.S. Bank

    Ignite Panel

  • Mike Stone

    Chief Investment Officer
    Sunstone Management

    Growth to Exit Panel

  • Nitin Bajaj

    Founder & CEO
    American South Asian Network (ASAN)

    George W. Wright Lightning Pitch Judge

  • Ritu Arora Thakur

    Founder & CEO
    Smart Tech Inc.

    Ignite Panel

  • Rudy Chavarria Jr.

    Founder & CEO
    College Ed Tech

    George W. Wright Lightning Pitch Judge

  • Scott Sorrell

    CEO
    Charge Higher Prices

    Growth to Exit Panel

  • Sonny Nguyen

    Founder
    Sonny & Company CPA

    Ignite Panel

  • Sridhar Sundaram

    Dean
    CSUF College of Business and Economics

    Welcome

  • Thomas Markel

    Founder
    Seniority Corporation

    Growth to Exit Panel

Generously Sponsored By

Platinum

Silver

Gold

Bronze

In-Kind

Community & Media Partners

Moderators

  • John Bradley Jackson

    John Bradley Jackson

    Director, CSUF Center for Entrepreneurship

    Welcome

  • Victor Macias

    Founder & CEO, Santana Snacks

    Ignite Panel

  • Barry Sandrew, Ph.D.

    Director of Entrepreneurship, Westcliff University

    Ignite Panel

  • Cynthia West

    Director, Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Ethics, Chapman University

    Launch Panel

  • Wade Martin

    Wade Martin

    Professor of Economics and Director of Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship California State University, Long Beach

    Growth to Exit Panel

  • Travis Lindsay

    Co-Founder, Titan Angels LLC

    Growth to Exit Panel

  • Stefani Rios

    Program Coordinator, ANTrepreneur Center, UC Irvine

    George W. Wright Lightning Pitch

  • David Ochi

    Executive Director, Innovation Incubator, CSU Dominguez Hills

    George W. Wright Lightning Pitch

Parking & Directons

Parking is FREE on this day and a permit is not required!

The BEST parking for this event is inside the State College Parking Structure (SCPS), at the intersection of State College Blvd and Gymnasium Drive or Student Union Way.

Address to SCPS:
1222 N State College Blvd, Fullerton, CA 92831

Click here for turn-by-turn directions to SCPS on Google Maps.

The event is held inside the Titan Student Union (TSU).

Be part of the movement that’s shaping the future of entrepreneurship in Southern California!

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, business leader, investor, or community member, SCCE offers opportunities to connect, collaborate, and contribute. From sponsorships and partnerships to volunteering and attending events, there are many ways to get involved and make an impact. Join us in empowering innovators, fostering connections, and driving economic growth across the region.

 A Collaboration Among

Past Events

  • SCCE-24

    SCCE-24 stands as a testament to the vibrant innovation ecosystem of Southern California. Entrepreneurs, business leaders, investors, exhibitors, schools, and students unite to celebrate the region's diverse entrepreneurial spirit, fostering upward mobility and a thriving quality of life.

  • SCCE-23

    Through shared stories, we honored community members and facilitated resources at SCCE-23 for innovators to build their own American Dream. Our goal was to celebrate SoCal for its richness and resources in the pursuit of becoming the globally recognized leader in innovation and entrepreneurship.

  • OCCE-21

    Regardless of the lifecycle stage or size of your business, we’re all challenged by seen and unforeseen obstacles that can threaten not only our success but our very survivability. Orange County Celebrates Entrepreneurs 2021 (OCCE-21) focused on developing, starting, surviving, growing and harvesting a business.

  • OCCE-20

    The inaugural event was held at Cal State Fullerton on February 29, 2020. It brought together entrepreneurs, investors, service providers, students, and business leaders. Through shared stories, we honored community members helping entrepreneurs and innovators build their own American Dream.

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